Characterization of the Immunophenotypical Profile By Flow Cytometry of Patients with Adult T-Cell Leukemia/Lymphoma

INTRODUCTION: Adult T-Cell Leukemia/Lymphoma (ATLL) is a malignant chronic lymphoproliferative disease (CLLD) that affects mature TCD4+ lymphocytes with a peculiar pathogenesis being etiologically related to the Human T-Cell Lymphotropic Virus (HTLV-1). The diagnosis of ATLL is based on the characterization of mature T-cell neoplasia through morphological and immunophenotypic evaluation of peripheral blood, correlated with serological or molecular positivity for HTLV-1. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the cytomorphological and immunophenotypic profile of patients diagnosed with ATLL. METHODS: about 5 mL of SP were collected in Vacutainer glass tubes with potassium EDTA from 20 patients with ATLL and analyzed through hematological tests and immunophenotyping by flow cytometry with a panel of monoclonal antibodies conjugated to fluorochromes and specific for CLPD. Cytomorphological analysis and differential leukocyte count were performed on peripheral blood smears stained by the Leishmann method. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Of all patients evaluated and diagnosed with ATLL, the age range varied from 31 to 76 years with a mean age of 47.8 years. Of these, 8 (42.1%) were male and 11 (57.9%) were female. In female patients, age ranged from 31 to 76 years (mean 45.8 years); in male patients, aged 35 to 66 years (mean 53.3 years). In the analysis of the immunophenotyping of the patients, a profile of DLPC-T was observed with positivity to Pan-T antigens CD5, CD2, CD3, TCR-α/β associated with CD38, Cd25 and HLADr, with CD3+/CD4+ in most patients. Only one patient was double positive for CD4+/CD8+ and another 3 had the CD3+/CD8+ phenotype. CONCLUSION: These data show the importance of immunophenotyping analysis by flow cytometry in patients with suspected ATLL.

No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.